National Convention
January 16-19, 2026, Waynesboro, PA
Register Now!
Registration ends January 2, 2026
To complete this form, you will need:
- Registering participant’s and parent’s contact information
- Registering participants dietary restrictions, insurance information (including a copy of insurance card), and an emergency contact
General Convention Info
Join Young Judaea Teens in Waynesboro, PA from January 16-19, 2026 for our annual National Convention!
Come for a weekend of seeing old friends and making new ones while exploring aspects of Jewish identity, Zionism, pluralism, and tikkun olam. All programs and activities will be planned and run by the members of the 2025-2026 National Mazkirut, our teen governing leadership board. Participants will have the opportunity to elect their peers to the 2026-2027 National Mazkirut and make their voices heard!
Sponsored in part through the generous support of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America.
When: Friday, January 16, 3 PM – Monday, January 19, 2026, 10 AM
Where: Waynesboro, PA (location provided with registration)
Cost: $500*
Travel not included where applicable
Deals: (Deals can be stacked!)
Early bird until December 5, 2025: $450
First timers to a YJ Teens Convention: save $50
Sign up for two or more conventions: Save $100 on each
*Scholarship available, see “SCHOLARSHIP” section
Travel Information
Arrivals, Friday, January 16:
Flying: Bus will depart Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) at 12:30pm, flights should be scheduled to arrive by 12pm.
Busing: Busing will be available from the NYC/northern NJ area around 9:30am for a fee of $100 round trip. Busing will also be available from Pittsburgh around 10:15am for a fee of $100 round trip. The bus from BWI for teens who are flying and for local drop off is free of charge and will depart at 12:30pm. Spaces on these buses are limited, and are first come first serve.
Driving: Convention begins at 3pm. Waynesboro, PA is approximately 2.5 hours from Washington DC and approximately 4.5 hours from NYC.
Departures, Monday, January 19:
Convention ends at 10am for local pick up. Buses are expected to arrive at BWI at 11:45am, to the NYC area by 3pm, and to Pittsburgh around 2:30pm. Flights should be scheduled to leave Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) between 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
Scholarship
We are committed to ensuring that every teen interested in attending convention is able to go and will do our best to accommodate. Funds are made available from the leadership teens raising money locally and nationally and are limited.
There are two options to receive scholarship for convention (you can apply for multiple!)
- Apply for a regional scholarship (this is not connected to YJ Teens). See a list of available scholarship here.
- Apply for a scholarship through YJ Teens. Scholarship will be provided as a reimbursement to the card you use to pay for conventions. Apply here by January 3, 2025.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your participation on or before December 16, 2025, you will be eligible for a refund of the total program fee. If you cancel on or before January 2, 2026 you will be eligible for a 50% refund of the total program fee. On or after January 3, 2026 no refunds will be available. In all cases, cancellation forfeits any double convention discounts. Regardless of when you cancel, if cancellation occurs after you have purchased an airline ticket, you will be responsible for the full price of the airline ticket. No refunds will be given for participants who are dismissed and/or otherwise removed from or leave National Convention for any reason (voluntary or involuntary) once the program has commenced. Young Judaea reserves the right to cancel National Convention, or change any of the itineraries due to low enrollment, security or other reasons as determined by Young Judaea’s sole and absolute discretion. Program prices are subject to change in Young Judaea’s sole and absolute discretion.
Note: All flight expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
FAQ
All Jewish teens, grades 8-12, regardless of their past Young Judaea experience, who are interested in becoming more involved in Young Judaea, exploring Israel, tikkun olam, and being together for Shabbat.
National Convention is an annual gathering of Young Judaea’s participants, members, leaders and friends to observe Shabbat together and learn about issues relevant to Judaism, Israel, Pluralism and Zionism. High quality programming will be offered to all Jewish teens, regardless of their current or previous levels of involvement in Young Judaea. Participants will have the opportunity to elect their peers to the 2026-2027 National Mazkirut, our teen governing leadership board.
The deadline to register is January 2, 2026 | Early Bird Discount ends December 5, 2025
To complete registration you will need:
-Registering participant’s and parent’s contact information
-Registering participants dietary restrictions, insurance information (including a copy of insurance card), and an emergency contact
Yes, there is limited scholarship available. There are two options to receive scholarship for convention:
- Apply for a regional scholarship (this is not connected to YJ Teens). See a list of available scholarship here.
- Apply for a scholarship through YJ Teens. Scholarship will be provided as a reimbursement to the card you use to pay for conventions. Apply here by January 3, 2025.
We will send an information guide to all participants and their parent/guardian via e-mail the week leading up to convention. It will contain the following:
- A complete packing list
- Precise arrival and departure instructions
Didn’t answer your question? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at yjteens@youngjudaea.org